Similar to teaching, I believe that they are various facilitation styles that guide an individual as they are facilitating. As of now, I do not have a lot of experience with facilitation in digital learning environments, however I am sure that my initial thoughts and ideas below about facilitation will change by the end of this course. At this point of my learning journey, digital facilitation:
- feels like a constant juggling act. Every session will not be the same. Approaches and strategies that worked with one group, could fall flat with another. If something is not working, then the facilitator needs to evaluate the situation and try something different.
- requires concepts and theories that were covered in previous courses. (e.g. learning to be agile and designing the online experience with the end user in mind is extremely important.
- requires the right tools and support in order for learners to feel comfortable accessing and participating in digital learning environments.
Two questions that I have:
- What useful approaches and strategies to manage interpersonal dynamics within the group?
- What are useful techniques to keep learners engaged? It is much easier for individuals to multitask or be distracted during a session.
Here is an image that represents my thoughts on digital facilitation. Balancing and juggling plates is not an easy task. However, with enough time, dedication, reflection and striving for continuous improvement, maybe online facilitation can look as flawless and graceful as this lady!
(Larson, 2009)
Reference
Larson, B. (2009) Plate Spinner [Online Image]. Flicker. https://www.flickr.com/photos/thefabmissb/3211735510/in/photostream/
August 31, 2020 at 8:55 pm
Hi Eunice, I completely agree with your first point, “feels like a constant juggling act. Every session will not be the same. Approaches and strategies that worked with one group, could fall flat with another. If something is not working, then the facilitator needs to evaluate the situation and try something different.” I could teach the same course/lesson 100 times and it will be very different each time which has shown me that so much of the success of said course depends on #1 the students and #2 the flexibility of the facilitator. That being said, of course planning is still vital on the teacher’s part of being a “tour guide” according to Bull (2013), but being flexible with the plan is of utmost importance depending on how the students respond.
Your second question, “What are useful techniques to keep learners engaged? It is much easier for individuals to multitask or be distracted during a session.” I was teaching 10-18 year-olds online for 7 months and found this to be a challenge. Since they’re youngsters, some of them thought that being online and not under the constant watchful eye of a teacher in person, that they could get away with tuning out and doing homework or playing games. I made it clear quickly that they had to be paying attention as I could call on them at any moment and expected them to be able to answer my questions. Of course this is different with adults.
September 2, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Hi Eunice – I love the metaphor of your picture – it certainly is such a reflection of our times and navigating the quick transition to online learning. Your question about the techniques to keep learners engaged is one I have been grappling with myself as well – especially, when each learner has such varying access and ability to engage with technological tools (i.e. quality bandwidth for synchronous sessions). It can easily become a one-directional experience. Over the last few months, it has been so valuable to hear from various colleagues who are using innovative and creative techniques to enhance engagement, and by extension, the learning experience. – Sanjay
September 7, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Hi Eunice. That is a wonderful image that encapsulates digital facilitation very well, especially in live synchronous environments where very often the facilitator is also the chat moderator, technician, presenter, conversation starter, etc etc.
September 8, 2020 at 5:55 pm
Thank you for your well thought out post. I agree with your first thought. Sometimes what works for one group falls flat with another. In face to face learning the facilitator can have a plan b and use it when she sees the student’s response. In online learning that is a little more difficult, but perhaps that is where teaching presence comes in – moving content along or curriculum as required. I’m thinking as I’m writing (and I’m responding after completing the COI readings) but maybe that’s where social presence can be applied. If something falls flat then it could be followed up with discussion through Mattermost or Slack. It would not be as formal but the messaging and sharing of information is there. Caroline